President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his interest in acquiring Greenland, stating on social media that there is “no going back” and that “Greenland is imperative.” The president is scheduled to arrive in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday for meetings that he says will include discussions about the territory.
Trump Doubles Down on Greenland Pursuit
During a news conference at the White House, Trump responded to a question about how far he was willing to go to acquire Greenland with, “You’ll find out.” He also stated that “things are going to work out pretty well” in Greenland.
When asked whether the potential dissolution of the NATO alliance was a price he was willing to pay for Greenland, Trump defended his administration’s relationship with the organization. “Nobody has done more for Nato than I have, in every way,” he said, adding, “Nato is going to be happy and we are going to be happy,” and “We need it for world security.” However, he also questioned whether NATO would come to the aid of the U.S. if required.
“I know we’ll come to (Nato’s) rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they’ll come to ours,” Trump told reporters. NATO currently has 32 member states, with the U.S. among the 12 founding countries. The alliance operates on the principle of collective defense, outlined in Article 5, which considers an attack against one member an attack against all.
Trump has not ruled out the use of military force to acquire Greenland, declining to comment when asked by NBC News whether he would consider such action.
Greenland Responds, European Leaders Express Concern
Greenland’s Minister of Industry and Natural Resources, Naaja Nathanielsen, expressed bewilderment at the president’s demands in an interview with BBC Newsnight. “We do not want to be Americans, and we have been quite clear about that,” Nathanielsen said. “What value do you put on our culture and our right to decide what happens with us in the future?”
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen emphasized Europe’s commitment to Arctic security. She described Trump’s proposed tariffs as “a mistake.” The U.S. president has threatened to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported from eight European countries if they oppose his pursuit of Greenland.
Von der Leyen affirmed the European Union’s “full solidarity” with Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, stating their sovereignty is “non-negotiable.” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed this sentiment, reaffirming Canada’s commitment to NATO’s Article 5 and its support for Greenland and Denmark’s right to determine their own future.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated a preference for “respect to bullies” and “the rule of law to brutality.” He also condemned the “endless accumulation of new tariffs” as “fundamentally unacceptable,” particularly when used as leverage against territorial sovereignty. Macron is reportedly urging the EU to consider retaliatory options, including the anti-coercion instrument.
Sources indicate that the European Parliament is planning to suspend approval of a US trade deal agreed in July, potentially escalating tensions between the US and Europe.
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